Development of Security in Nigeria
The demands for me to write on the history
of security in Nigeria have been high. No week passes without one of such
request or another. In this write up, I will attempt to briefly discuss the
development of security in Nigeria.
But, before then, may I use this
opportunity to congratulate and commend the Federal Government of Nigeria for
making Security Education a subject of study in Primary and Secondary Schools. Good
foundation makes a solid building.
Introduction
The importance of security to human survival is found in its evolution
from primitive self-protection techniques, devices, and strategies to that of
modern sophisticate systems technology. The advancement
of security from physical access barriers created by such rudimentary
perimeters as rocks fences to electronic access control systems, there has been
always one constant (the rationale for security; that is, the needs for
survival of man).
Definition of Security
In the book, Security Administration: An Introduction,
Post and Kingsbury (1977) defined security as that which “Provides those means, active or
passive, which serve to protect and preserve an environment which allows for
the conduct of activities within the organization of society without
disruption.” This definition of security suggests that a stable and
orderly environment is a result of properly applied security and that many
measures (active and passives) can be put in place to achieve that aim.
The needs for security have existed in all human society. In the
primitive society security concerns itself with the protection of persons
(individual, family, or society) and property (land, residence, personal, or
business). Ultimately, communications security (protection of community,
military, or business intelligence) would become a third need (Richard W. Lack,
et al 1997). These specific functions of security, Lack observed, “…are grouped
into the following three categories” namely:
a. Physical Security
b. Personnel
Security
c. Information
Security
“Security is an all-inclusive term that
implies risk management, loss prevention, and safety”. Ronald I. Heskett
(1997). Heskett went further to observe that “Security implies a sense of
comfort and confidence that protection has been provided; it … implies a
barrier against threats that could destroy the community, business, or
individual”.
Achievements of Security
The history of man is
replete with evidence of activities that implies knowledge of many of the
philosophy and ideals that are now known as security. Archeology has unearthed
extensive accumulations of relies or artifacts from past civilizations that
reflects elaborate security achievements. The Mammoth worlds of the ancient
Babylon, the pyramids of the Pharaohs, the Roman Empire, the Empires of the
Western Sudan, etc. rival the accomplishment of modern security management
considering the state of technology. The glory that was Rome must be credited
in great part to superior security activities. Roman region conquered an empire
that in the 2nd century of the Christian era comprehended the
farthest part of the earth and the most civilized portion of mankind. These
vast domains were linked together by an elaborate security network that reached
from Rome into the outline provinces.
Security in Nigeria
Before the British invaded what later became known as Nigeria, there
existed several informal security activities. No central security team existed
in Nigeria before the annexation of the Colony of Lagos. Natives of the
different ethnic nationalities organized their own security activities and
provides for their own protection. They performed security duties and served as
"messengers" to traditional rulers in various
capacities, in courts, in the palace and while traveling.
On
arrival, the British recognized them as "enforcers" of
local laws, "keepers" of peace and order, and "protectors"
of kings. At that time, these security personnel were known as "Akoda"
and "Olopa" in Western Nigeria, "Dangary",
and later "Yan Gardi”, “Yan Doka" in Northern Nigeria
and "Danduka" in Eastern Nigeria.
The rise and fall of the Empires of the Western Sudan owe much to
security activity. For instance, the
royal town, El Ghaba in the Ghana Empire, which existed between AD 300 to AD
1240 was secured by a defensive wall; strict immigration measures were taken,
and the Emperor could put an army of 200,000 on the field at short notice. The
people kept dogs of excellent breed, horses, giraffes and elephants for
security.
In Mali Empire, during the reign of Mansa Musa (1307 - 1332), the
empire was well protected by a security force of more than 180,000. There was
also strict immigration measure; and justice was strictly maintained. There was
complete security for travelers within the empire and there was no fear of
robbers and thieves.
The
Songhai Empire under Askia Mohammed (1493 - 1528) reached its greatest attainment
of power and prosperity and "there was everywhere great plenty and
absolute peace".
The
first walls of Kano city were built at about the 12th century. The outer walls
of Kano, which have existed thus far measure 30 – 50 feet high and eleven miles
long, and it provided desired protection in times of attack.
It is
also on record that in 1485, the screen of protection around the Alaafin of
Oyo, compelled the Oba of Benin to tell the Portuguese who first visited Benin
that the Alaafin was a powerful monarch whose face was never seen by his
subjects. In Oyo Empire during this period the Eso (war lords) do not only
raise troops, but also provided security for the Alaafins and their families.
When
Bashorun Gaha upset the balance of the Constitution in his own favour and
reduced successive Alaafins to the position of puppets, he failed to realize
and appreciate the importance of security. The result was that in the 1770s,
Alaafin
Abiodun exploited the porous security situation and succeeded in
destroying Gaha and his entire family.
Evolution
of Modern Security in Nigeria
Queen
Amina of Zaria was another pre-colonial African who managed the security
functions efficiently and effectively. Her commanding personality and super
intelligence were manifested in her selection, training, deployment of personnel,
and management of the security activities. In this way it was 34 years of
uninterrupted leadership, and the whole vast area between Zaria and the Rivers
Niger and Benue, including the Kwararafa and Nape States were forced to
acknowledge the over-lordship of Queen Amina.
What is
remarkable about security during this period is that it was purely indigenous
and was stimulated neither by contact with Islam nor Europe.
Impacts of Industrial Revolution
A lot of history, economic and other business books have been filled
with beautiful accounts of the technological innovation of the industrial
revolution in Great Britain and United States of America. Little was known
about the security management methods and techniques that helped to make that
progress possible. It seems highly unlikely that they could have made the
industrial progress of the 19th century without a foundation of successful
security activities.
The advent of the factory as the primary model of production, and the
tremendous rise in the volume of production of the industrial revolution also
created a need for large number of security personnel and managers.
The factory system may be distinguished from other models of production
in that workers, stocks of raw materials and finished goods; machines and
equipment, documents and other assets were concentrated in one building or a
group of buildings. It also brought centralized control of production and drew
a line between the employer and the employee.
The industrial revolution was a major contributory factor in the rapid
development of the factory system, furnishing both the power and the machines
for large-scale production, and large amount of capital were required to
finance the factories. Since the crafts worker lacked the resources to buy the
machines or to compete with machines, he assumed the role of an employee and
the bourgeois class who had the money assumed the role of employer. The
relationship between the employer and the employee become impersonal.
As a result of the impersonal relationship between the employer and
the employee, the latter felt that he
was no longer an organic part of the organization and his interest in his job
of the organization as a whole rested in its ability to pay him a wage with
which he nurtured his body and soul, and raise his own family.
The industrial revolution also made affluence possible; caused increase
in income disparity and displaced the crafts worker who cannot compete with
machines. The new challenges, frustrations and temptations aggravated offenses
of physical need and criminally of affluence and greed.
Another contributory factor is the capitalist system wherein the bulk
of goods and services needed by society are created and distributed by private
enterprise in search of profit with its essential attribute of materialism,
private property, free enterprise, profit motive, self-interest, competition
and the price mechanism. People become preoccupied with material possession,
the rich are respected for their wealth while the poor are disrespected for
their poverty.
Consequently,
most people want to become rich and be respected. Many people engaged in
different types of activities, such as manufacturing, banking, office work,
robbery, pilferage, kidnapping, assassination, dope selling, pimping, illegal
bunkering, etc. in order to get rich.
Specific Effects of Industrial Revolution on Nigeria
In the same vein, the industrial revolution
impacted Nigeria in many other specific ways, including the following:
1.
The demand for cheap labour to
keep the industrial machines running in factories in Europe promoted slave
trade which lasted for several years in which, millions of young able-bodied
men and women from Nigeria and other West Africa countries were sold and
shipped into Europe.
2.
The request for raw materials
to feed industries in Europe encouraged the entry into TREATIES with the local
nationalities which dismantled and destroyed their existing systems and
subjected the people to colonialism.
3.
The need for expanded market
for goods manufactured in Europe resulted in turning our cities, towns and
villages into dumping grounds for all sorts of goods including fake and
adulterated goods and toxic wastes (e.g. Koko Toxic Waste dumping of June, 1988).
In addition to indigenous security problems
and the universal effects of the industrial revolution on all nations; all the
above scenarios exacted peculiar security challenges and posed grave dangers
for the people.
Evolution
of Modern Security in Nigeria
Before
1845, the efforts of European traders to penetrate the African hinterland were
frustrated by African middlemen in what was increasingly becoming a lucrative
trade. In 1849, the British government appointed a Consul General for the Bight
of Benin and Bight of Biafra on the Atlantic Coast of West Africa to promote
legitimate trade and prevent the incessant quarrels between African Chiefs and
the British traders in the area. When the crisis continued, the British Consul
charged with the administration of the Lagos Colony, William McCosky whose
duties among others included the maintenance of law and order, requested for a
small-armed force to help him maintain peace in the area. A Consular Guard
comprising 30 men was established in October 1861. In 1863, the Consular Guard
was named Hausa Guard, as it was constituted mainly from the Hausa ethnic
group.
In 1879, a further reorganization was
carried out resulting in a Constabulary of the Colony of Lagos. This
Constabulary placed under the command of an Inspector General, performed mainly
military duties. In 1886, the Lagos Police Force was created, and it performed
additional duties of sheriff, inspector of weights and measures, and officer in
charge of prison.
While these developments were going on in
the South, the Royal Niger Company (United African Company) was granted
approval in 1886 by the Colonial Government to establish a protective force for
its business interests in the North. Thus empowered, the company founded the
Royal Niger Constabulary in 1888, with headquarters at Lokoja, to protect its
installations along the banks of the River Niger.
When the protectorates of the Northern and Southern Nigeria were
proclaimed in 1900, the Royal Niger Constabulary was made the Southern Nigeria
Police Force, while the bulk of the Niger Coast Constabulary formed the
Southern Nigeria Regiment. The new formations were responsible for dealing with
internal disturbances and external aggression in addition to normal police
duties.
After
the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914, the two
police forces operated separately until April 1930 when they merged to form
present Nigeria Police Force (NPF), under the command of Inspector General of
Police.
Although,
the Nigeria Police Force came into being by Ordinance No. 3 of 1930, which
brought together the various local police forces that existed in various parts
of the country, the force was used to:
·
Protect
commercial and extractive colonial firms;
·
Secure
and supervise labour for construction of the basic infrastructure of the export
based economy;
·
Coerce
the payment of colonial taxes which obligated peasants to grow cash crops and
supply cheap labour;
·
Frustrate
the demands of indigenous workers for wage increase, and
·
Suppress
any legitimate demand of the indigenous people.
More
importantly, it marked the beginning of modem security and the evolution of
modem policing in Nigeria.
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